Ferrara's in Florida

Dr. Rhee is on vacation so Dr. Playforth checked me on Wednesday. She said I'm 2.5 centimeters dilated indicating a fast delivery and the baby's steady heartbeat points to a mellow baby. That news sounds good to me. Looking forward to next week's appointment...

I'm 38 weeks pregnant with less than two to go until my EDD. I've been so busy at work that I hardly have time to think about having a baby, but my boss is doing a great job of reminding me. I think I've had more meetings with him in the past week than I've had in the duration of my employment at Fenway Partners. This week became the first week in ~5 years that I didn't teach one aerobics class (other than vacation) and I have to say, other than feeling a tinge of laziness, it was enjoyable. Sleeping 8+ hours a night does wonders for my daily energy levels. Since my early mornings were free this week, I laid in bed for a few extra minutes enjoying the wiggles of the baby inside of me. I really enjoy feeling the baby move around my belly; it's such a miraculous time. With my doctors and colleagues reminding me that I could have the baby any day now, it still feels like make believe. Our hospital bags are packed, the car seat is installed & our excitement is ...

This was a fun pic taken of Kristin (week 33) and me (week 37) at Colin and Sofia's Jack and Jill wedding shower. Their shower was probably the best co-ed bridal shower I've been to as the entertainment was so much fun. As you can see in this photo, Big Apple Baby has started his/her descent. Although I walk a little slower, I prefer carrying the baby lower as I seem to have less back pressure, I don't breathe as heavy, and getting in and out of takes less effort. It's been so much fun being pregnant with a friend!

Big Apple Baby's nursery is complete. Surprisingly, our home doesn't look overcrowded at all, and the actual baby's room looks more spacious with nursery furniture than it did when it was empty. Victoria visited yesterday and was the first to see the decorated nursery. As she put it, she "couldn't believe how nice it looked compared to when it was Louie's room." Her first impression got me excited b/c it was the first room I decorated on my own since I left my parents' home for college. (Usually Philip has great ideas for home decorating, hence his nickname Marty Stewart, but I actually picked out the renovations & all of the furniture & accents.) The nursery is missing just a few things--a mobile, some art that is being framed and of course, Big Apple Baby. We have yet to find a mobile that coordinates in color and style of the nursery--we're open to any and all suggestions so please leave comments. As for the art, it will be ready in on...

On Thursday, 2/15 I'll be full-term at 37 weeks. I remember the day we found out we were expecting, wow how time really flies! I received good news at my doctor's appointment today--I'm dilated 2 cm (up 1cm from last week), I'm measuring well, and my doctor said the baby is getting ready. I'm sporting a full figure although I have nary an appetite. Philip calls me "Snow Woman" whenever he sees me in my non-maternity, very, very snug tea-length winter coat. And...we've been playing house...Well, Philip has been "building" house while I've been decorating the nursery. We finally have a full house of baby stuff, and the excitement is building daily as we await the arrival of Big Apple Baby.

Today I'm 36 weeks pregnant with exactly one month until my due date. I've noticed some dramatic changes this last week--the most noticeable ones yet in my 8 months (other than my protruding belly). The biggest change is that I can't keep up the same daily pace without sacrificing my sanity. I had my weekly ob visit yesterday. My doctor said my blood pressure was higher than usual the past two weeks which could be a sign that I'm on my feet too much. I initially disagreed since I work in an office, but later in the day I started thinking that maybe the doc was right as I had been feeling emotionally overwhelmed this week. Yesterday I felt unusually stretched as it was a particulary busy work day, so by the time I left work I had as much as I could handle. I went to meet my driver who was parked on the wrong block, which would usually be no big deal; however, last night it was drama, drama, drama. There I was standing outside of Carnegie Hall on 7th Avenue in the middl...